Accounts Disagree On Execution
Surviving ancient historians give conflicting accounts of the manner in which Procopius was killed.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
366 in Roman Empire
Explore 35 historical events and records for Roman Empire in 366.
Historical records for Roman Empire in 366
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Aglio Abandons Procopius
The commander Aglio defected during the fighting near Nacolea, critically weakening Procopius.
Ammianus Describes Beheading
Ammianus Marcellinus records Procopius as being beheaded after his capture rather than killed by the method described in later accounts.
Ancient Historians Preserve Battle
Accounts by Ammianus and ecclesiastical historians supply the principal narrative evidence for the events near Nacolea.
Arbitio Supports Valens
The veteran commander Arbitio gave his influence to Valens during the campaign against Procopius.
Barchalba Accompanies Fugitive
Barchalba was one of the companions who remained with Procopius immediately after his forces dispersed.
Battle Near Nacolea Begins
The decisive military encounter between the imperial rivals took place near Nacolea in Phrygia.
Battle of Nacolea
Helps defeat Valens rival for the throne, Procopius
Betrayers Face Imperial Punishment
Ancient accounts state that the men who surrendered Procopius were themselves punished by Valens.
Florentius Accompanies Procopius
Florentius, associated with the garrison of Nicaea, initially accompanied Procopius after the defeat.
Fugitives Betray Procopius
Florentius and Barchalba eventually surrendered the fugitive claimant to the forces of Valens.
Gomoarius Loses Military Support
Troops serving under the Procopian commander Gomoarius abandoned their allegiance as the rebellion weakened.
Hormisdas Resists Procopian Collapse
The Persian prince Hormisdas was associated in a surviving account with resistance to the defections undermining Procopius.
Jovinus Campaigns In Gaul
General Jovinus won engagements against Alamannic groups during the military operations of Valentinian's reign.
Jovinus Defeats Alamannic Forces
Roman general Jovinus defeated Alamannic forces in Gaul during the western campaigns of Valentinian I.
Nacolea Ends Usurpers Campaign
The defeat associated with Nacolea ended Procopius's brief military challenge to the authority of Valens.
Philostorgius Recounts Procopius Fate
Philostorgius likewise described Procopius as beheaded but differed from other writers concerning the punishment of a betrayer.
Phrygian Campaign Concludes
The struggle in Phrygia brought the active Procopian rebellion to its decisive conclusion.
Procopian Army Disintegrates
Defections among the rebel troops deprived Procopius of the military backing necessary to continue his campaign.
Procopius Advances Into Phrygia
Procopius moved into Phrygia while trying to defend his contested claim to the eastern imperial throne.
Procopius Claims Constantinian Kinship
Procopius advertised his connection with the family of Constantine to attract soldiers during his rebellion.
Procopius Delivered To Valens
The capture of Procopius brought an effective end to his attempt to displace Valens.
Procopius Executed In May
Procopius was executed on 27 May 366 according to the consular chronicle, following his capture.
Procopius Flees Defeat
Following the collapse of his forces, Procopius went into hiding rather than continue open resistance.
Procopius Loses Constantinian Appeal
Procopius's claimed dynastic legitimacy proved insufficient once senior officers and soldiers abandoned him.
Rebellion Exposes Army Loyalties
The campaign demonstrated how quickly the allegiance of late Roman military units could shift between rival emperors.
Rebellion of Rebels in Procopius
Defeats the Goths who support the usurper Procopius
Rebellion of Rebels in Procopius
Defeats the Goths who support the usurper Procopius
Rival Armies Approach Nacolea
The forces of Valens and Procopius approached the area of Nacolea in the decisive phase of the rebellion.
Socrates Describes Alternative Death
Socrates Scholasticus reports a different and particularly violent version of Procopius's execution.
Valens Contests Dynastic Legitimacy
Valens challenged the dynastic arguments by which Procopius tried to win military allegiance.
Valens Restores Eastern Authority
After Procopius's fall, Valens could restore control over the eastern imperial territories disrupted by civil war.
Valens Secures Battlefield Advantage
Valens emerged from the confrontation near Nacolea with his principal rival effectively defeated.
Valens Triumphs Over Rival
The Nacolea campaign consolidated Valens's position as eastern emperor after the instability of 365 and 366.
Valens Turns Toward Phrygia
Valens redirected his forces toward Phrygia after the rival imperial armies had initially missed one another.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.